Planet ISKCON

Like to hear a great class?

The post Gauranga Prabhu in NVD appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post Daily Darshan: May 16th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Destination Russia - Kirtan In The Motherland (5 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Srila Prabhupada once told Govinda dasi that in ancient Vedic times Russia was called the “Land of Rishi’s” because many yogis went to the frozen tundra’s of Russia to perform penance and austerities. These days Russia is being graced with Lord Caitanya’s mercy in the form of the chanting of Sri Krsna’s holy names. We witnessed this as we traveled to several cities in the Motherland where ISKCON temples are flourishing.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/bC5lum

Chant, Chant, Chant!
A great opportunity for devotees worldwide to offer your chanting to Sri Narasimhadeva!
On the day before Narasimha chaturdasi (19.05.16) the Maha Sudarshana Homa will take place at Sri Radha -Madhava temple courtyard at 10 am. The Sudharshana and Narasimha yantra will then be bathed with water infused with the Hare Krishna Maha mantra japa chanted by devotees. This water will be used the next day for the abhisheka of Lord Narasimha deva.
We request devotees worldwide to kindly start chanting their extra rounds of Japa from today or if you are already chanting extra rounds, you can send us the number of extra rounds you have chanted by e-mail to info@mayapur.com or by Whats app to +919593400192. Kindly send us the number of extra Japa before 19.05.16 – 7:00 am Indian time. Please mention your name (if initiated then the initiated name) along with the count. The Japa will be offered in that name to the Yantras. Kindly post this message in your facebook, share it to all your contacts, paste in your temple bulletin boards and reach as many people as you can.
“May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities become calm by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting devotional service they will think of each other’s welfare. Therefore let us all engage in the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him.”- Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.9

Thousands of people thronged the street in Rupnagar on 14th May 2016 to deliver a very warm reception for Lord Jagannath , Baladev and Subhadra devi for the first time ever, seated on a chariot, in this relatively smaller district of Punjab.

Rupnagar commonly known by name Ropar is located on the banks of the river Sutlej besides Shivaliks. It boasts of one of the richest archaeological site of the Indus valley civilization with records dating back to the period of the Mahabharata. This city is also well known for its Gurudwaras.

Devotees from different parts of India and abroad arrived well in advance to prepare for the festival. The devotees reached every corner of the city with harinam and Prabhupad books, informing locals about the Rath yatra festival.

On the day of Rath yatra entire Rupnagar seemed to be present on the streets. Each and every individual irrespective of his faith came to have darshan of Lord Jagannath, took prasad from the rath and joined in pulling it. The concentration of people on the rope once reminded us of the Puri Rath yatra. The ecstatic nonstop and energetic kirtan along with enthusiastic book distribution made the entire atmosphere extremely vibrant. The occasion was very well beautified by the presence of rangolis and festoons down the lane. Lords rath was also well decorated with most aromatic of flowers. Around 5000 people had darsan of the Lord.

The interest and service attitude the local people displayed can be gauged by seeing the numerous stalls set up to distribute various items like sweet water, pakoras, ice cream, chana, various drinks etc. during the course of the Rath. The festival was concluded with a delicious love feast.

The credit for this Rath yatra goes chiefly to Rangeshwar Das adhikari (Dr. Ramjee Repaka, Associate professor, IIT Ropar, a disciple of H. H. Bhaktiswarup Damodar Swami) along with disciples of Srimad Subhag Swami Maharaj who under the guidance and inspiration from His Holiness arranged for the entire program.

We hope that this Rath yatra is successful in igniting a fire of curiosity in the minds of local people to know more about this very confidential yet most easily obtainable devotional service at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna.

We pray to the devotees for their blessings so that we may be able to spread Prabhupad’s message of Krishna Consciousness in one more town in India.

Jagannath Swami ki Jai
Rath Yatra Mahamahotsava ki Jai
Srila Prabhupada ki Jai

—By Bhakta Aseem

Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine #375: Rare prayers to Nrisimha, and on Qualification of Guru.
The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine was just released. This issue includes:
* FAITH AND THE GURU’S QUALIFICATION – Teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
* SHORTCOMINGS OF THE PATH OF DRY ARGUMENT – Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada speaks about problems in finding a guru.
* GURU CAN FREE THE DISCIPLE FROM DOUBT – Various commentaries on Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.21. Some translated here for Bindu for the first time.
* ALL GLORIES TO LORD NRISIMHA – Assorted verses translated for the first time for this issue from a rare book known as Subhasita-ratna-bhandagaram.
* BEYOND FAME, INFAMY AND EXPECTATIONS – A fresh translation from Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati’s Vrindavana-mahimamrtam (3.56). It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu375

May 16. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Magnanimity of the Maha Bhagavata.
Sometimes he’s lecturing and he says, “Yes, come in, sit down.” That would be for a hippie who was deciding whether to come into the storefront or not, and who would look like he was eligible for sitting down and hearing Bhagavad-gita if he really wanted. He might be on an LSD trip or just not wanting to actually become part of the group, and yet he wanted to check it out – so Prabhupada invited him to step over the barrier and actually become a listener. He might invite him to sit down, but they did not always want to come under the Swami’s control, even to take a seat when he asked them.
The Swami was fearless. He was convinced that his message was relevant and had to be spoken. It was his show, he was in control, but he had to protect himself, especially in the beginning. It is not that the devotees were completely ready to be on his side, so he had to control the whole thing and say, “Don’t disturb, don’t disturb.” He depended on Krishna and went on speaking the difficult-to-understand philosophy – concepts of Bhagavad-gita and the assertion that Krishna is God. He just went right ahead without watering it down in the least.
You couldn’t understand it all, but you stayed and listened to him. You caught a word here and there, Caitanya, Krishna; missed a word here and there. I can recall thinking that I did not understand very much of it.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

Magnanimity of the Maha Bhagavata

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 May 2016, Vrndavana, India, Bhagavad-gita 3.34)

Prabhupada used the traffic metaphor for spiritual life and I like this metaphor. It is like this, you start driving in the night – no light and it is pitch dark. You cannot see anything of the road. All that you see are the white lines. There are white lines and you drive within the white lines. These are the white lines of the regulative principles, of the rules and the regulations and it is all about rules and regulations. There are traffic rules too. You stick to a certain side of the road, to a certain speed; many issues are there, one way streets and so on, all to regulate us. All this knowledge helps us to not smash into something.

As we continue to drive, the light of the sun rises above the horizon and everything changes because at that stage, the landscape becomes visible. “Ah, nice mountain. Ah, look at that lake. Looks cool. Not bad, nice place.”

So we are driving along, still between the white lines but no longer with the same exclusive focus. As we make advancement, the regulative principles remain but the regulative principles do not become our main focus.

Like we are the International Society of Krsna Consciousness, we are not the International Society for Regulative Principles. If we would be, then we can spend the whole day looking at each other and pointing out (Indian accent), “Things are not correct. Not correct. No! So much sorry but it is not correct, according to the Nectar of Devotion. It is not correct, it is not allowed according to Nectar of Devotion. Nahi mana hai.” What to do! These things are there.

There are so many rules and we can spend our days policing each other and have an interesting society like that where everyone looks at his neighbour to see if they are breaking any rules and if so, then we can tell about it because immediately that gives us a platform of superiority! Then we are higher. The rules and regulations are very popular. It is a great tool to elevate ourselves above others and in this way, India also fell in that trap because that is what the smartas were doing basically. Smarta brahmanas are overly attached to rules and regulations; it is called niyam agraha, all about rules and regulations.

Rules and regulations do not serve the higher purpose of developing Krsna consciousness. We do follow the rules and regulations but Krsna consciousness is ultimately the path of love. It is the path of love, of awakening love!

By Radha Mohan das

Reflections on the future

As everyone knows, today the Internet is the principle mode of local and international communication, especially for younger generations. It has been with us for about 25 years now yet in such a short time from an historical point of view it has had a profound impact on nearly all individuals, organisations, governments, businesses and institutions. ISKCON, of course, is no exception.
Recently I was reading Religion Online- Finding Faith on the Internet, a series of essays edited by Canadian academics Lorne Dawson and Douglas Cowan. One essay by Elena Larson records that “25% of Internet users have gotten religious or spiritual information online at one point or another”. (The percentage is higher for those users aged 30 and under). Other essays discuss issues such as whether ancient traditions are trivialized or strengthened by ‘cyber-rites’ and other online religious activities.

The seriousness of the topic should not be underestimated. The success Facebook ad Whatsapp are surely a signs of the role technology will play in the future of many religious organizations. After all, spending hours on the Internet everyday does, of course, include many members of ISKCON’s youth peer groups such as the Gurkulis and Pandava Sena.

In a recent interview I helped conduct about ISKCON, Professor Kim Knott of Leeds University in the UK stated that the “electronic presence can be very, very important for [devotees].” Indeed, this area is critical to ISKCON’s future given that there are few Temples compared to the amount of general interest in Krishna Consciousness.

In another interview I helped conduct, Ranchor Prime prabhu from London noted “the circumstances of the world today are so different from what they were when all the major religious traditions were incubated”. Therefore, potentially the Internet and other technologies will affect religious groups more than anything else. For instance, today many religions are relatively free from political and geographical limitations like never before in their histories. It could well be that the future of faith itself will be understood increasingly less by buildings, festival attendance and other functions but more by its online presence.

ISKCON has especially developed a strong relationship with the Internet because of the emphasis on darshan in front of our beautiful shrines, the vibrancy and colour of our festivals, profound philosophy, emphasis on sound vibration, there are many who have a connection with Krishna who are not close to the institution, the belief that nearly anything can be ‘used in Krishna’s service’ and our large youth following.

Despite the fact that we aim to represent an ancient spiritual tradition, devotees are not shy when it comes to using the Internet. For example, sites such as www.Mayapur.tv provide live web cams of Temple room activities around the world, simultaneously. That site, for the first time, in 2010 provided full live coverage of the huge Janmashtami festival at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Even some people living locally to the Manor chose to experience the festival through the Internet rather than driving through the festival traffic and negotiating the darshan queuing system.
Inspired by sites such as http://secondlife.com, I have learned that there are devotees who are exploring the idea of creating completely virtual Temples online- – that is, Temples that do not exist elsewhere that can be explored by members via a representation of oneself in the form of a three-dimensional model, called an Avatar. (This sense of the word was first coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel Snow Crash, who co-opted it from the Sanskrit, which he felt was a concept similar to that of an incarnation).

Once developed these online communities will be able to visit the Temple room, view beautiful deities, listen to devotional music, listen to lectures and even browse through simulated Temple gardens.

Despite the fact that technology offers exciting new opportunities it does bring serious challenges regarding how to quantify, define and monitor our membership whilst preaching and maintaining an ancient tradition in a modern world, and using modern methods.

In the absence of the older generations of Hindus who support Temples for cultural and traditional reasons, the future of some of our larger Temples in the West may well have to deal with declining attendance. This may lead to the majority of donations made online, in exchange for enhanced online facilities.

It might be argued that some cultural activities such as the sixteen samskaras can never be replaced by online equivalents, but other activities may be more border-line. One example is seeking online astrological guidance for the most auspicious time to have a ceremony instead of consulting a local guru or Brahmin, as would be the tradition.

Now, if a devotee chooses to witness the arati ceremony of his favourite deity through his computer screen, can he receive the same spiritual benefits and ‘blessings’ as if he were physically present? Would it be worth any more if he were able to interact with the images on his computer, as people do when playing on a home video game console such as Wii?

Vaishnava philosophy accepts the omnipresence of God in the form of Ksirodakasayi Vishnu, who, as the Supersoul in everyone’s heart is aware of the sincerity of the individual souls. It could be argued, therefore, that the physical attendance of religious events is not of primary importance.

That brings in the question of whether an individual can form a genuine relationship with Krishna without committing their physical body to any activity. There is some room for this in Vaishnava philosophy. For example, influenced by the 1999 Hollywood blockbuster The Matrix, In Maya- The World as Virtual Reality Sadaputa das compares the Vedic view of this observable universe to an advanced virtual reality program. In his book, virtual reality is used as a metaphor for our situation as conscious beings. The basic theme is that what we can imagine doing in a virtual reality computer system may actually be happening in nature on a vastly greater scale. Given that the Vedic understanding of the experienced world via our bodily senses is temporary and illusionary, the comparison made by Sadaputa das is highly justifiable. Using the Vedic philosophy, then, one could argue that online activities are no less valid than anything else in this material world.

In my own experience, there are a range of opinions on these issues but there is an increasing openness to the Internet from both conservative and liberal-minded devotees. Yet Vaishnavism, of which ISKCON is part, is clearly a culture as well as a philosophy. This culture includes a high level of etiquette, family values, working together in a community and other important forms of human interaction. Visiting a Temple physically includes an holistic experience. For example; taking off your shoes before entering, smelling the incense, ringing the bell to alert the deity of one’s presence, bowing down, eating prasad, meeting the devotees and performing physical devotional service. Significantly, darshan is a Sanskrit term meaning sight and in the context of visiting a Temple it means not seeing God but being seen by God.

It is impossible to imitate such experiences online (at least with current technology) and there are no restrictions in place to prevent the participant from polluting his ‘home pilgrimage’ with detrimental activities such as eating and dressing inappropriately in front of the computer screen, thus vastly reducing or even reversing the spiritual benefits.

Even in terms of “online dating” and the like, eventually there has to be a physical meeting of the people. Similarly, clearly spiritual life cannot take place solely on the Internet.
But the pitfalls of expressing faith through the Internet is not necessary a valid reason for us to turn away and embrace only traditional methods of devotion. The actual dynamism of being the Hare Krishna movement is that it has to move and that includes moving with the times and adapting accordingly.

Our challenge is how to fully explore the potential of the Internet but also be ready to draw or recommend boundaries for our youth in order to keep a healthy and practical balance between the physical and cyber worlds. Despite our ethos of living a simple and more natural way of life along with the running of farms without the use of machinery, we will unreservedly use all the technology at our disposal for the highest and most urgent purpose – to expand the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Vraja Kishor is our very own “home grown tomato”,  so to speak. He’s been a student at TKG Academy since he entered our preschool class 10 years ago. This year he turned 14 and has pioneered the re-opening of our high school class. 

Vraja is a very scholarly student. His mature demeanor and focus on his academics has earned him much respect among his classmates. 

Under the tutelage of Mother Krishna Priya, he has practiced his already-naturally-developed public speaking skills. While many of us get nervous when standing before an audience, Vraja doesn’t break a sweat! He keeps his calm and delivers his message very clearly. 

On May 14, he participated in the DFW Speech Tournament, presenting the sad state of poverty and homeless young children in India.  He highlighted the important work of the team behind the Grammy-nominated CD, “Bhakti Without Borders”. In preparation for his speech, he interviewed Madi Das and Gaura Mani Mataji. In his talk, he described the importance of the Sandipani Muni School in Vrindavan Dham, the land of Krishna. He won the hearts of his audience and was placed in the finals. He won 7th place in the Informatory Speech category. The judge commented: “Very important topic! It’s so important for children in America to be aware of what their young counterparts in other countries are going through.”

Way to go, Vraja! 

 

 

Museum Night. Exhibition of Indian miniatures. Barnaul, Altai Krai, Russia, 14/05/16 (Album with photos)
“Museum Night” - an annual event dedicated to the International Museum Day. Altai museums, large and small, open their doors in the evening and at night, as well as prepare a special program. Vaisnavas try not to miss such a great chance to present Vaishnava culture and participate in this great promotion. At this time, devotees staged an exhibition of Indian miniatures “Flute Song” in one of their art galleries. Traditional Indian painting on rice paper. 21 miniature protagonists that Radha-Krishna! … Collection mataji Mathurachandriki. She collected this collection to India trips. The exhibition included art photographs as well made the pilgrimage to the holy places of India:. In the cities of Jagannath Puri, Vrindavan and South India tour Mataji Mathurachandrika Devi Dasi, a student of EM Chaitanya Chandra Charan Prabhu is the author of the book - “Travels with Gurudev.” It Mathurachandrika dd for the past several years of design and publication of books Chaitanya Chandra Charan Prabhu, helping him to collect material for the publication of books and distribute them. Also we participated in the exhibition of the work of our wonderful artist Lakshmisundari dd Very nice and elegant drawing. Her spiritual teacher HH Bhaktivaibhava Swami blessed her to continue her spiritual creativity and often he appreciates her paintings when coming to our city. Specially built a makeshift stage for us, where we have three hours to chant the Holy Names, meeting the public who came to gallery in search of spiritual sustenance. And she found it here! Lovely bhajans outside, face-painting with henna, and distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books. At the entrance they were treated to delicious maha-prasadam sweet balls, then they could see the picture of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, and to take part in an excursion to the history of culture of Vaishnavism and hear stories about the ancient deities and saints.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/MVYNar

ISKCON-Delhi: Sita Navami Maha Abhishek : 15-05-2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The process of chanting the holy name of the Lord is always superbly effective, but it is especially effective in this age of Kali. All the great authorities of bhakti-yoga recommend the devotional process beginning with the chanting of the holy name of Krishna (tan-nama-grahanadibhih). (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.1.21 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tvoyi5

Grand Opening of the new Krishna Cultural Center – An ISKCON 50 Event.
Saturday, May 14th 2016, 5:00PM
Krishna Cultural Center – 2407 W Boise Ave, Boise, ID.
A grand opening ceremony of the new new Krishna Cultural Center, an extension to the existing temple, commemorating 50 years of ISKCON will be held on May 14, 2016 starting 5PM. We have Tulasi Mandir, Library, Kitchen, hall, Guest House and Harinam Park in this new facility.
There will be ribbon cutting ceremony by Lt.Governor Brad Little. Senior ISKCON sannyasis His Holiness Badrinarayana Svami and His Holiness Hanumat Presaka Svami will also honor the occasion.
This event is open to the public and from entry to food are all free. Attractions of the evening: Gifts (For first 500 ony!), Live Music, Balloons, Face Painting, Dances, Vegetarian Food.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/C9ONL8

https://flic.kr/s/aHskAbmbC1

The post Radha Damodara appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post Conversation with ladies Majuvali, Mandakini, Jagadatri, Guru-carana-padma et al, about New Vraja-dhama appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post Daily Darshan: May15, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The post Guiding lady guests through windy, rainy Krsna Valley appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Iskcon Kuching Sarawak Free Food For Life At 7th Mile Market Today (15 May 2016)
Srila Prabhupada: In this age human beings only live for sixty or eighty years, and even this small life-span is gradually decreasing. Therefore it is even more imperative for human beings to take to the worship of the lotus feet of the Lord by constantly chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, as recommended by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.67 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ulJW97

By Gour Govinda Swami

It was appearing like a flower garland on the chest of Nrsimhadeva. It seems as if a lion had killed an elephant. So many of Hiranyakasipu’s soldiers came out to fight against the Lord, but the Lord, with His sharp nails, tore them apart and all were killed. There are many descriptions. “Lord Nrsimhadeva’s mouth and mane were sprinkled with drops of blood, and His fierce eyes, full of anger, were impossible to look at. Licking the edge of His mouth with His tongue, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nrsimhadeva, decorated with a garland of intestines taken from Hiranyakasipu’s abdomen, resembled a lion that has just killed an elephant.” (SB 7.8.30 ) ” The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who had many, many arms, first uprooted Hiranyakasipu’s heart and then threw him aside and turned toward the demon’s soldiers. These soldiers had come in thousands to fight with Him with raised weapons and were very faithful followers of Hiranyakasipu, but Lord Nrsimhadeva killed all of them merely with the ends of His nails.” (SB 7.8.31 ) Continue reading "Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Appearance Day
→ Dandavats"

(English/Hungarian)

The post Guru-carana-padma talks to the sankirtan party of Budapest appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

(English/Hungarian)

The post Mandakini d.d. speaks about the first books to reach Moscow appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskwz2L4D

The post Radha-Syama on Sunday’s Henna painting festival in rainy NVD appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskze7USd

The post Godsisters visit to Hungary appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

By Mayapur Sasi dasa

                                     *
                            *     *     *     *
                 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
          * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
  ************************************************************************
  N O R T H    A M E R I C A N    S A N K I R T A N    N E W S L E T T E R
  ************************************************************************
          * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
                 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
                            *     *     *     *
                                     *

                                 April 2016                       5/14/2016


         For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this file contains
        the following North American results for the month of April:

                    North American Totals
                    Monthly Temples
                    Monthly Weekend Warriors etc.
                    Monthly Top 100 Individuals
                    Monthly Top 5
                    Cumulative Countries
                    Cumulative Temples
                    Cumulative Top 100 Individuals
                    Cumulative Top 5



   This file is best viewed and printed using a fixed pitch font. In WinCOM
   select Options, General, and change to Fixed pitch. In a word processor
   chose Edit, Select All, and select a fixed pitch font such as Courier.

                               All glories to your service,
                               Your servant, Mayapur Sasi dasa


   Scores received thru 05/14/2016




                 North American offering to Srila Prabhupada

         MahaBig   Big   Medium  Small   BTGs   Total   Total    %    Templ/
          Books   Books  Books   Books   Mags   Books   Points Change Devote
        --------------------------------------------------------------------
January  13132    7201    7126   17240   4382   49081   41798.20 +11% 23/ 88
February 13077   11031   11784   20907   5770   62569   48933.55 +39% 23/ 92
March    14063    6467    7115   20533   4835   53013   43798.05 +13% 19/ 64
April    16777   11350   10620   30967   6695   76409   58651.65  -9% 23/ 89
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals   57049   36049   36645   89647  21682  241072  193181.45 +10% 29/135
                                                          (%)Change compared
                                                                to last year



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                                ALL TEMPLES
                                 April 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Temples (size)           Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Los Angeles (L)    US  16493.50* +19%   3680   4495*  4152  10130   300
  2 RupanugaVedicColle US  12303.20* +74%   4046   3187*    97   2128* 4437*
  3 Baltimore (MS)     US   4725.70*+123%   2079      5     20*  2010*  502*
  4 Chicago (S)        US   4559.70*+192%   1186*   878*   921*  3390*   17
  5 TBB TSKP (MS)      US   3746.75  -11%    429   1281   2044   2343     0
  6 Silicon Valley(ISV US   3213.75*+118%   1567*    12*     0    271     0
  7 Gainesville (M)    US   2204.75  -37%    549    523    712    911     0
  8 Denver (M)         US   2139.75   -9%    720    304*   281    837   460
  9 Hillsborough, NC ( US   1823.30*+176%    455*   124*   132*  2778*  288
 10 Laguna Beach (S)   US   1418.75* +49%    666*    16     29    185   100
 11 New Orleans (S)    US   1251.25*+116%     70*     0   1051*  2339*   10
 12 Toronto (S)        Can  1075.95* +72%    250     37    123   1789*   38
 13 New Talavan (S)    US    975.50  -23%    350     14*   512     22     0
 14 Dallas (M)         US    513.75   +4%    160     73     94    259    90
 15 San Diego (M)      US    456.25*+205%     87*   148*   169*   199*    0
 16 Atlanta (S)        US    399.25   na      69    114      0    589     0
 17 Hartford (MS)      US    377.20   +2%    131     47*    99*    58    42
 18 Miami (S)          US    350.75  -39%    109     32      1    401     0
 19 Sacramento/TYM (S) US    272.30  -29%    104     21     54     60    13
 20 Berkeley (S)       US    238.10*+117%     41*    28*    84*   186*  396*
 21 Vancouver (S)      Can    91.50   +8%     21     11     43     68     0
 22 Texarkana (S)      US     18.95*+441%      8*     0      0     11*    2
 23 Arkadelphia (S)    US      1.75  -80%      0      0      2      3*    0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                             WEEKEND WARRIORS ETC
                                 April 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Individuals or Group     Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 WW Jiva Daya Mar Bal US  4725.70* +51%  2079      5     20*  2010*  502*
  2 WW Team ISV Week Sil US  3213.75*+118%  1567*    12*     0    271     0
  3 WW Toronto WW    Tor Can  453.00* +48%   165*    23*    75    250*    0
  4 WW Dallas        Dal US   205.50* +43%    56*    53*    39     84*    0
  5 CP LA Sastra Dan LA  US    23.00  -91%     1      1     20     40     0
  6 WW Chicago MSF   Chi US    15.95*+106%     2      5      2     19*   12
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year




                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                             TOP 100 INDIVIDUALS
                                 April 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Individuals              Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Bk Jay Khush     LA  US  3908.45* +25%  1025*   781*   748*  2447   917*
  2 Paramesvara d    RVC US  3520.75* +32%  1122*   877*     4    543* 2620*
  3 Krishna Bhagavan RVC US  2978.40*  +9%   975    809*     0    478*  999
  4 Ananda Kirtan d  LA  US  2868.75  +36%  1028    334    107   1701     0
  5 Gauranga Prema d LA  US  2806.75*+186%   627*   774*  1331*   453*    0
  6 Bhrgupati d      LA  US  1941.20*+163%   356*   772*   480*   864    12
  7 Bk Storm         LA  US  1936.50*  +5%   473    523*   354   1162*    0
  8 Dharmaraja d     RVC US  1918.30* +81%   574*   629*     0    528*   93
  9 Brajananda d     RVC US  1795.95* +45%   590*   512*     3    371*   97
 10 Prema Sankirtan  LA  US  1666.75   +4%   397    606    175    717     0
 11 Nidra dd         Den US  1236.75  +34%   459    217*   101    205     0
 12 Gaur Sundar d    LA  US  1111.70  -35%   512     62     35     30     7
 13 Dasya Prema d    RVC US  1036.15  -13%   372    224     24    133*  229
 14 Drumila d        NO  US   953.75*+216%    17*     0    852*  1975*    0
 15 Krsna Kumar d    TBB US   894.75*+176%    23*   482*   523*   421*    0
 16 Bk Carlos        Gai US   863.25  -28%   248    211    124*   377     0
 17 Mohanasini dd    Tal US   855.50  -29%   350     14*   272     22     0
 18 Deva Krsna d     RVC US   726.90  -55%   320     44      0     12   399
 19 Bk Carlos        TBB US   723.50  -27%   103    170    388    614     0
 20 Bk Karim         TBB US   722.50  +27%   116*   155    370    602     0
 21 Ekasma d         LA  US   690.00*+187%   158*   133*   280    404*    0
 22 Kalki d(2 Kimani Gai US   622.75  -25%   150    214    178*    79     0
 23 Raya Nitai d     TBB US   549.50  -47%    63    195    315    284     0
 24 Shastra-krt d    LA  US   532.50* +19%   170*     0      0    770*    0
 25 Madhava Puri d   TBB US   452.50  -11%    48    168    194    366*    0
 26 Aditya Narayan d Hil US   440.75*+174%   112     13      4    807*    0
 27 Radha Krishna d  LA  US   438.60  +23%   155*    63     58    144     6
 28 Bk Joey          TBB US   404.00  -24%    76    111    254     56     0
 29 Bn Demi          Tor Can  400.95*+999%     8*     3      4   1519*    2
 30 Madhukari d      Atl US   399.25  -52%    69    114*     0    589*    0
 31 Bk Akshay        Hil US   299.75   na     95     69      0    163     0
 32 Bk Adam          RVC US   287.25   na     92     64     54     49     0
 33 Prana Hari d     Den US   264.25  -20%   106     14     15*   123     0
 34 Visala d         Mia US   248.00* +61%    69*    20*     0    360*    0
 35 Bk Chang         SD  US   237.75*+178%    58*    80*    54*    59*    0
 36 Bk Mikey         Gai US   218.00   na     54     32     80    152     0
 37 Bn Karly         Gai US   204.25  -67%    67     29     36     93     0
 38 Harish Kumar d   Chi US   192.00   na     96      0      0      0     0
 39 Sacitanoy d      LA  US   180.50  -64%    39     86      4     58     0
 40 Visva dd         Chi US   178.75*+155%    71*    18*    20*    35     0
 41 Dinabandhu Guru  Ber US   174.50* +91%    25*    22*    52*   154*  380*
 42 Ananta Gopal d   NO  US   161.50*+135%    50*     0     78*    90*    0
 43 Cakri d Dallas   Dal US   150.25  -29%    58      0      0    101    90*
 44 Vinoda Kovida d  Den US   132.25  +10%    45     23     15     47*    0
 45 Kaivalya dd      Tal US   120.00*+104%     0      0    240*     0     0
 46 Syama dd         LA  US   117.50*+171%     0      0      0    270*  500*
 47 Caitanya dd      Gai US   115.00  -55%     4     29    101*   110*    0
 48 Ekatvam d        Gur US   107.00  +28%    18      0    104*    76     0
 49 Nanda Suno d     Den US   103.25  -54%    28     22     31     39     0
 50 Lilakara d       Mia US   102.25   -8%    40*    12      0     41     0
 51 Rohini Nandan d  NO  US   101.00  -33%     3      0     80*   220     0
 52 Karuna Dharini   LA  US    96.50*+162%    42*     3      5     28*    0
 53 Bk Oscar         LA  US    94.75  -64%    16     27     26     91     0
 54 Bn Autumn        Gai US    87.75   na     26      8     23     65     0
 55 Samyaprasa d     Den US    83.25   -6%    26     12     26     25*    0
 56 Bn Tessa         Gai US    82.50*+725%     0      0    160*    10     0
 57 Bk Mitch Rampp   Chi US    80.25  +58%    13     31     26*    41*    0
 58 Ananda Murari d  Den US    79.75  -15%    29      6     19     25*    0
 59 Lalita dd        Ber US    63.60*+249%    16*     6*    32*    32*   16*
 60 Gopi Gita dd     LA  US    63.00*+388%     0      0     47*   158*    0
 61 Shankar Pandit d Chi US    59.75   -1%     0      0      0    239*    0
 62 Bk Himanshu      Chi US    57.50  -80%     0     50      0     30     0
 63 Bk Matsu         Den US    54.50  -32%    15      4     26*    30*    0
 64 Banke Bihari dd  Van Can   42.00* +76%    12*     1     12*    44*    0
 65 Bk Sebastian     LA  US    40.50   -8%     0      2      6    142     0
 66 Dvijamani Gaura  RVC US    39.50  -30%     1     28*    12     14*    0
 67 Sarvatarak d     NO  US    34.00  -67%     0      0     41     54     0
 68 Sridhar Syama d  Dal US    34.00* +23%     9*     5     14*    16*    0
 69 Kamalini dd      Hil US    28.05   na      5      6     15     17     3
 70 Bk Marquis       SD  US    27.50  -35%     1     14     12     22     0
 71 Amala Purana d   Den US    27.25  -82%     4      4     21     19     0
 72 Balaram d        SD  US    26.00*+263%     2      7*    17*    26*    0
 73 Tulasi Vallabha  Den US    20.50* +61%     8*     2      0     10*    0
 74 Ramanuja d       Van Can   18.00* +64%     1      7*    12*    12     0
 75 Apurva d         Hil US    16.20   na      3      3      6      8    22
 76 Bn Christiana    Gai US    11.25   na      0      0     10     25     0
 77 Visnu Gada d     Van Can    9.75  -56%     1      3      7      5     0
 78 Jagatpati d      Van Can    5.75  -53%     0      0      9      5     0
 79 Balabhadra d     Van Can    2.00   na      1      0      0      0     0
 80 Visnu Priya dd   Van Can    2.00  -50%     1      0      0      0     0
 81 Digpala d        NO  US     1.00   na      0      0      0      0    10
 82 Tadiya dd        Den US     1.00    0%     0      0      0      4     0
 83 Nartaka Gopal dd Mia US     0.50  -88%     0      0      1      0     0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year



                    North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                   MONTHLY TOP 5 TEMPLES AND INDIVIDUALS
                                 April 2016

     -------- Points --------             ----------- Points -----------
1 Los Angeles           16493.50     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA       3908.45
2 RupanugaVedicCollege  12303.20     2 Paramesvara d       RVC      3520.75
3 Baltimore              4725.70     3 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC      2978.40
4 Chicago                4559.70     4 Ananda Kirtan d     LA       2868.75
5 TBB TSKP               3746.75     5 Gauranga Prema dChinLA       2806.75

     ----- (%)Increase ------             -------- (%)Increase ---------
1 Texarkana                +441%     1 Bn Demi             Toronto    +999%
2 San Diego                +205%     2 Bn Tessa            Gainesvil  +725%
3 Chicago                  +192%     3 Gopi Gita dd        LA         +388%
4 Hillsborough, NC         +176%     4 Lalita dd           Berkeley   +249%
5 Baltimore                +123%     5 Drumila d           New Orlea  +216%

     ---- Maha-Big Books ----             ------- Maha-Big Books -------
1 RupanugaVedicCollege      4046     1 Paramesvara d       RVC         1122
2 Los Angeles               3680     2 Ananda Kirtan d     LA          1028
3 Baltimore                 2079     3 Bk Jay Khush        LA          1025
4 Silicon Valley(ISV)       1567     4 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC          975
5 Chicago                   1186     5 Gauranga Prema dChinLA           627

     ------ Big Books -------             ---------- Big Books ---------
1 Los Angeles               4495     1 Paramesvara d       RVC          877
2 RupanugaVedicCollege      3187     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC          809
3 TBB TSKP                  1281     3 Bk Jay Khush        LA           781
4 Chicago                    878     4 Gauranga Prema dChinLA           774
5 Gainesville                523     5 Bhrgupati d         LA           772

     ----- Medium Books -----             -------- Medium Books --------
1 Los Angeles               4152     1 Gauranga Prema dChinLA          1331
2 TBB TSKP                  2044     2 Drumila d           New Orlea    852
3 New Orleans               1051     3 Bk Jay Khush        LA           748
4 Chicago                    921     4 Krsna Kumar d       TBB TSKP     523
5 Gainesville                712     5 Bhrgupati d         LA           480

     ----- Small Books ------             -------- Small Books ---------
1 Los Angeles              10130     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA          2447
2 Chicago                   3390     2 Drumila d           New Orlea   1975
3 Hillsborough, NC          2778     3 Ananda Kirtan d     LA          1701
4 TBB TSKP                  2343     4 Bn Demi             Toronto     1519
5 New Orleans               2339     5 Bk Storm            LA          1162

     ------ Magazines -------             --------- Magazines ----------
1 RupanugaVedicCollege      4437     1 Paramesvara d       RVC         2620
2 Baltimore                  502     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC          999
3 Denver                     460     3 Bk Jay Khush        LA           917
4 Berkeley                   396     4 Syama dd            LA           500
5 Los Angeles                300     5 Deva Krsna d        RVC          399

     ------ Full Sets -------             --------- Full Sets ----------
1 Baltimore                   48     1 Gaur Sundar d       LA            14
2 Los Angeles                 19     2 Nidra dd            Denver         8
3 Silicon Valley(ISV)         10     3 Aditya Narayan d    Hillsboro      4
4 Denver                       8     4 Shastra-krt d       LA             1
5 Hillsborough, NC             6     5 Ekatvam d           Gurabo (P      1

     ----- BBT Payments -----             ------ Matajis - Points ------
1 Los Angeles              30546     1 Nidra dd            Denver   1236.75
2 Toronto                  14265     2 Mohanasini dd       New Talav 855.50
3 Gainesville               9834     3 Visva dd            Chicago   178.75
4 TBB TSKP                  8897     4 Kaivalya dd         New Talav 120.00
5 RupanugaVedicCollege      5432     5 Syama dd            LA        117.50

     --- Bhaktas - Points ---             ----- Bhaktins - Points ------
1 Bk Jay Khush  LA       3908.45     1 Bn Demi             Toronto   400.95
2 Bk Storm      LA       1936.50     2 Bn Karly            Gainesvil 204.25
3 Bk Carlos     Gainesvil 863.25     3 Bn Autumn           Gainesvil  87.75
4 Bk Carlos     TBB TSKP  723.50     4 Bn Tessa            Gainesvil  82.50
5 Bk Karim      TBB TSKP  722.50     5 Bn Christiana       Gainesvil  11.25

    Veteran Men(20+yrs) Points            -Veteran Women(20+yrs) Points-
1 Bhrgupati d   LA       1941.20     1 Nidra dd            Denver   1236.75
2 Prema Sankirt LA       1666.75     2 Mohanasini dd       New Talav 855.50
3 Gaur Sundar d LA       1111.70     3 Karuna Dharini dd   LA         96.50
4 Drumila d     New Orlea 953.75     4 Lalita dd           Berkeley   63.60
5 Visala d      Miami     248.00     5 Kamalini dd         Hillsboro  28.05



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                           COUNTRIES (CUMULATIVE)
                          January thru April, 2016

   Country                 %     Total  M-Big    Big   Medium   Small   BTGs
   (Temples)     Points  Change  Books  Books   Books   Books   Books   Mags
   _________________________________________________________________________

 1 USA (26)    189812.95  +12%  236083  56051   35851   35887   86719  21575
 2 Canada (3)    3368.50  -54%    4989    998     198     758    2928    107
                        (%)Change compared to Jan-Apr 2015



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                            TEMPLES (CUMULATIVE)
                          January thru April, 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Temples (size)           Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Los Angeles (L)    US  57982.90  +13%  13308  13951  14572  39332  2969
  2 RupanugaVedicColle US  33525.50  +34%  11480   8394    450   3504 10705
  3 TBB TSKP (MS)      US  16324.25 +224%   1978   5708*  9296   8041    20
  4 Baltimore (MS)     US  11070.30 +225%   5228     11     42   2124   513
  5 Chicago (S)        US   9238.65  +19%   2483   1749   1696   6045  1644*
  6 Denver (M)         US   9188.70   +6%   2954   1102   1784   4142  2512
  7 Gainesville (M)    US   9159.50  +48%   2547   2248   2146   2978     0
  8 Seattle (S)        US   8803.50*  na    4290*    93    118    166   300
  9 Silicon Valley(ISV US   7644.75  -55%   3692     14      0    987     0
 10 Laguna Beach (S)   US   4284.75  +35%   1851    169    149   1095   655
 11 Hillsborough, NC ( US   3805.50  +87%    931    345    179   5574  1155
 12 New Talavan (S)    US   3498.25  -52%   1316     36   1544    233     0
 13 New York Harinam ( US   3113.50   +4%    787    802    317   2316     0
 14 Toronto (S)        Can  2949.50  -23%    929    155    585   2382    89
 15 New Orleans (S)    US   2409.75   +1%    150      0   1719   4997    10
 16 Dallas (M)         US   1999.60  -67%    652    316    315    764   311
 17 Miami (S)          US   1501.60  -22%    322    253    168*  2024    58
 18 Hartford (MS)      US   1483.80 +234%    548    135    139    364   219*
 19 Sacramento/TYM (S) US   1425.40  +19%    584     73    160    406*   29*
 20 Farmington Hills,  US   1229.00*  na     509*     9*   404*     0     0
 21 San Diego (M)      US    905.25   na     184    244    359*   455     0
 22 Berkeley (S)       US    457.70  -24%     78     58    192    404   467
 23 Atlanta (S)        US    399.25  -87%     69    114      0    589     0
 24 Vancouver (S)      Can   344.50  -45%     69     41    167    268    18
 25 Krishna Culture (S US    248.35   na      77      6    113    125     6
 26 Montreal (S)       Can    74.50   na       0      2      6    278*    0
 27 St. Louis (S)      US     71.50   na      18     19     18     30     0
 28 Texarkana (S)      US     22.45   na       9      0      0     17     2
 29 Arkadelphia (S)    US     19.25  +64%      6      2      7      7     0
 30 Boston (S)         US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 31 New York City (M)  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 32 New Vrindavan (L)  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 33 Honolulu (S)       US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 34 Washington D.C. (M US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 35 Detroit (S)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 36 BTG/Krishna.com (S US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 37 Philadelphia (M)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 38 Alachua (S)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 39 Portland (MS)      US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 40 New Jersey-Edison  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 41 Tucson (S)         US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 42 New York 26 2nd Av US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 43 Murari Sevak (S)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 44 Ottawa (MS)        Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 45 New Jersey-Towaco  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 46 Houston (S)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 47 Columbus (S)       US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 48 New York Queens (S US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 49 Naperville (MS)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 50 Tampa Bay (S)      US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 51 Orlando (MS)       US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 52 San Francisco (MS) US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 53 Cintamani Dhama KY US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 54 Halifax (MS)       Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 55 San Antonio (MS)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 56 Austin (MS)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 57 World Harinama Par US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 58 Calgary (MS)       Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 59 Boise (MS)         US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 60 Tallahassee (MS)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 61 Winnipeg (MS)      Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 62 Bhakti Lounge (Phi US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 63 Bhakti Lounge (Tor Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 64 Gita-nagari (S)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 65 Ann Harbor (S)     US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 66 Saranagati Farm (M Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 67 Santa Cruz (MS)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 68 Minneapolis (S)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 69 Hale Krishna Hawai US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 70 Santa Barbara (MS) US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 71 Spanish Fork KHQN  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 72 Palm Beach (MS)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 73 Las Vegas (S)      US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 74 Carpinteria (MS)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 75 Birmingham(USA) (M US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 76 Albuquerque (MS)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 77 Louisville (MS)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 78 Naples (MS)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 79 Harrisburg (MS)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 80 Oklahoma City (MS) US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 81 Boulder (MS)       US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 82 Phoenix(AZ) (MS)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
                                    (%)Change compared       (*)Better than
                                       to Jan-Apr 2015            last year



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                      TOP 100 INDIVIDUALS (CUMULATIVE)
                          January thru April, 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Individuals              Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Bk Jay Khush     LA  US 10181.65  +10%  2783   1672   1648   8007* 1179*
  2 Ananda Kirtan d  LA  US  9218.85   -2%  2993   1313    637   6349*  141*
  3 Paramesvara d    RVC US  8874.00  +12%  2853   2335      4    910  6035
  4 Krishna Bhagavan RVC US  8421.80 +116%  2885   2089      3    886  3398
  5 Bk Storm         LA  US  7448.35 +130%  2122   1319   1514   4281*  581*
  6 Prema Sankirtan  LA  US  6479.50 +164%  1633   1973    479   3968    90*
  7 Gauranga Prema d LA  US  5750.50*  na   1090*  1702*  3222*  1030     0
  8 Gaur Sundar d    LA  US  4512.80 +585%  2092    222    148    122    23
  9 Brajananda d     RVC US  4267.20  +57%  1435   1226     88    470    97
 10 Bhrgupati d      LA  US  4155.70  -11%   829   1527    908   2052    37
 11 Dharmaraja d     RVC US  4036.80  +96%  1263   1315     42    662    93
 12 Nidra dd         Den US  3995.50  +21%  1441    570    563   1048     0
 13 Deva Krsna d     RVC US  3984.90   -3%  1646    586      0    268   399
 14 Bk Carlos        TBB US  3686.75   na    510    982   2180   2379     0
 15 Raya Nitai d     TBB US  3667.75  +12%   286   1366*  2671   1577     0
 16 Dasya Prema d    RVC US  3410.80  +15%  1264    690    143    214   678
 17 Bk Carlos        Gai US  3271.75  +27%  1044    793    222   1119     0
 18 Mohanasini dd    New US  3260.75  -39%  1316     36   1069    233     0
 19 Bk Karim         TBB US  2425.75*  na    166*  1016   1332*  1647     0
 20 Kalki d(2 Kimani Gai US  2287.00   +2%   633    788    360    212     0
 21 Bk Joey          TBB US  1996.75*  na    348*   507   1291*   593     0
 22 Krsna Kumar d    TBB US  1866.25   na     28   1164*   843    891    20
 23 Drumila d        New US  1557.75  -12%    27*     0   1300   3415     0
 24 Radha Krishna d  LA  US  1510.90*  na    490*   282*   171*   644*   24*
 25 Madhava Puri d   TBB US  1468.25 +332%   222    492    810*   509     0
 26 Bn Karly         Gai US  1453.00*  na    291*   143*  1024*   864*    0
 27 Ekasma d         LA  US  1412.25  -65%   194    136   1461    631     0
 28 Prana Hari d     Den US  1254.70  -21%   480    129     32    594    12*
 29 Madhukari d      Atl US  1236.50   na    466    117*    42*   666*    0
 30 Sacitanoy d      LA  US  1171.75   -4%   269    519      4    451     0
 31 Shastra-krt d    LA  US   981.00  -77%   298      0    180*  1180*    0
 32 Aditya Narayan d Hil US   923.00 +108%   317     37     16    976*    0
 33 Nanda Suno d     Den US   772.00   na    246    125    170    280     0
 34 Bk Himanshu      Chi US   640.50  -13%   120    193*   240*   350*    0
 35 Caitanya dd      Gai US   625.50  +41%   159    192    151    160     0
 36 Bk Oscar         LA  US   621.00*  na    115*   154*   187*   574*    0
 37 Prabhu Hari d    Mia US   598.00*+374%    73*   147*   160*   900*    0
 38 Cakri d Dallas   Dal US   575.15   +1%   228      0      0    401   189
 39 Visala d         Mia US   557.00   -3%   151     41      6*   842     5
 40 Abhimanyu d      Gai US   556.25*  na    196*    80*    54*   229*    0
 41 Parama Karuna d  Chi US   536.75  -73%   144    108    124    315     0
 42 Adi Karta d      Gai US   512.00*  na    143*   196*    40*    40*    0
 43 Bk Chang         SD  US   494.00   na    116    133    168*   180     0
 44 Vinoda Kovida d  Den US   491.50  -24%   173     78     74    122     0
 45 Amala Purana d   Den US   472.75   na    149     48    146    215     0
 46 Bn Demi          Tor Can  460.10  +62%    25     13     22   1530*   36
 47 Akshay           Hil US   425.50*  na    145*    77*    15*   204*    0
 48 Bk Allen         TBB US   375.50*  na     21*   178*   127*   368*    0
 49 Dinabandhu Guru  Ber US   357.35  -12%    56     47    138    341   441*
 50 Ekatvam d        Gur US   357.00   na     18*    45    344    416     0
 51 Samyaprasa d     Den US   349.50  -29%   110     51    123     68     0
 52 Lilakara d       Mia US   324.75  -26%    96     61      1*   245    12
 53 Bhismadeva d     Dal US   313.75   na     98    111      1     25     0
 54 Bk Akshay        Hil US   299.75   na     95     69      0    163     0
 55 Ananta Gopal d   New US   299.00 +338%   100      0    128    140     0
 56 Bk Adam          RVC US   287.25   na     92     64     54     49     0
 57 Ananda Murari d  Den US   266.50  -47%    88     28     98     54     0
 58 Rohini Nandan d  New US   251.00   -4%     3      0    160*   660     0
 59 Visva dd         Chi US   248.75  -47%    91     28     33     89     0
 60 Shankar Pandit d Chi US   241.50 +154%    50      0      0    566*    0
 61 Sarvatarak d     New US   241.00  -31%    20      0     41    722     0
 62 Kaivalya dd      New US   237.50   na      0      0    475      0     0
 63 Cakri d          Chi US   228.00   na      0    188*    80      0     0
 64 Bk Mikey         Gai US   218.00  -33%    54     32     80    152     0
 65 Dvijamani Gaura  RVC US   209.25   na     36     81     96     33     0
 66 Karuna Dharini   LA  US   207.00  +50%    83     12     28     60     0
 67 Syama dd         LA  US   204.25* +98%     0      0      0    565*  630*
 68 Sacidulal d      LA  US   200.25   na     82      0      0    145     0
 69 Harish Kumar d   Chi US   192.00   na     96      0      0      0     0
 70 Bk Joe B.        Chi US   184.00*  na     72*    40*     0      0     0
 71 Bk Mitch Rampp   Chi US   181.75   na     63     31     28     43     0
 72 Bk Sebastian     LA  US   172.50  -47%     0      6     21    624     0
 73 Govinda Datta d  LA  US   164.25*+481%    44*     0     80*   145*    0
 74 Babhru d         LA  US   145.75  -84%     6     63*    76    131     0
 75 Svavasa d        LA  US   144.00   na     72      0      0      0     0
 76 Bk Matsu         Den US   134.75*  na     44*    10*    46*    55*    0
 77 Jaya Gauranga d  Den US   121.25*  na     30*    48*     0     53*    0
 78 Banke Bihari dd  Van Can  113.50  -31%    26     12     36    126     0
 79 Bn Tessa         Gai US   102.50   -8%     0      0    170     70     0
 80 Gopi Gita dd     LA  US   101.75  -21%     0      0     67    273     0
 81 Lalita dd        Ber US   100.05  +20%    22     11     54     63    23
 82 Karuna Nidhi d   Chi US    96.25*+817%    40*     0      0     25   100
 83 Bn Autumn        Gai US    87.75  -12%    26      8     23     65*    0
 84 Gaura Candra d   Tor Can   83.25   -9%    39      0      5     11     0
 85 Radharani dd     LA  US    82.75*  na      3      0     46    215*    0
 86 Bk Marquis       SD  US    69.75   na     11     25     29     33     0
 87 Shivani dd       Chi US    65.25 +110%     5     20*    12    117*    0
 88 Sridhar Syama d  Dal US    61.75*  na     15*    11*    26     31*    0
 89 Uttamananda d    Tor Can   58.00*  na     24*    10*     0      0     0
 90 NityanandaChandr Dal US    56.00*  na     28*     0      0      0     0
 91 Visnu Gada d     Van Can   54.25  -42%     4     17     17     23    18*
 92 Advaita Caran d  Chi US    48.00*+380%    24*     0      0      0     0
 93 Balaram d        SD  US    47.50*  na      3     18     25*    44*    0
 94 Tulasi Vallabha  Den US    46.00*  na     17*     7*     0     20*    0
 95 Haridham d       Van Can   45.50*  na     18*     0     19*     0     0
 96 Jagatpati d      Van Can   42.50  +44%     0      0     65     40     0
 97 Bk Deano         New US    40.00  -33%     0      0     80      0     0
 98 Ramanuja d       Van Can   40.00  +82%     4      9     20*    52*    0
 99 Naimisaranya d   Dal US    39.00*  na     19*     1*     0      0     0
100 Nikunja Bihari d Den US    38.25*  na      0      3*    33*    75*    0
                                    (%)Change compared       (*)Better than
                                       to Jan-Apr 2015            last year



                    North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                 CUMULATIVE TOP 5 TEMPLES AND INDIVIDUALS
                          January thru April 2016

     ----- Points(Cum) ------             -------- Points(Cum) ---------
1 Los Angeles           57982.90     1 Bk Jay Khush       LA       10181.65
2 RupanugaVedicCollege  33525.50     2 Ananda Kirtan d    LA        9218.85
3 TBB TSKP              16324.25     3 Paramesvara d      RVC       8874.00
4 Baltimore             11070.30     4 Krishna Bhagavan d RVC       8421.80
5 Chicago                9238.65     5 Bk Storm           LA        7448.35

     --- (%)Increase(Cum) ---             ------ (%)Increase(Cum) ------
1 Hartford                 +234%     1 Gaur Sundar d       LA         +585%
2 Baltimore                +225%     2 Prabhu Hari d       Miami      +374%
3 TBB TSKP                 +224%     3 Ananta Gopal d      New Orlea  +338%
4 Hillsborough, NC          +87%     4 Madhava Puri d      TBB TSKP   +332%
5 Arkadelphia               +64%     5 Prema Sankirtan d   LA         +164%

     -- Maha-Big Books(Cum) --            ----- Maha-Big Books(Cum) -----
1 Los Angeles              13308     1 Ananda Kirtan d     LA          2993
2 RupanugaVedicCollege     11480     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC         2885
3 Baltimore                 5228     3 Paramesvara d       RVC         2853
4 Seattle                   4290     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA          2783
5 Silicon Valley(ISV)       3692     5 Bk Storm            LA          2122

     ---- Big Books(Cum) ----             ------- Big Books(Cum) -------
1 Los Angeles              13951     1 Paramesvara d       RVC         2335
2 RupanugaVedicCollege      8394     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC         2089
3 TBB TSKP                  5708     3 Prema Sankirtan d   LA          1973
4 Gainesville               2248     4 Gauranga Prema dChinLA          1702
5 Chicago                   1749     5 Bk Jay Khush        LA          1672

     --- Medium Books(Cum) ---            ------ Medium Books(Cum) ------
1 Los Angeles              14572     1 Gauranga Prema dChinLA          3222
2 TBB TSKP                  9296     2 Raya Nitai d        TBB TSKP    2671
3 Gainesville               2146     3 Bk Carlos           TBB TSKP    2180
4 Denver                    1784     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA          1648
5 New Orleans               1719     5 Bk Storm            LA          1514

     --- Small Books(Cum) ---             ------ Small Books(Cum) ------
1 Los Angeles              39332     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA          8007
2 TBB TSKP                  8041     2 Ananda Kirtan d     LA          6349
3 Chicago                   6045     3 Bk Storm            LA          4281
4 Hillsborough, NC          5574     4 Prema Sankirtan d   LA          3968
5 New Orleans               4997     5 Drumila d           New Orlea   3415

     ---- Magazines(Cum) ----             ------- Magazines(Cum) -------
1 RupanugaVedicCollege     10705     1 Paramesvara d       RVC         6035
2 Los Angeles               2969     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC         3398
3 Denver                    2512     3 Bk Jay Khush        LA          1179
4 Chicago                   1644     4 Dasya Prema d       RVC          678
5 Hillsborough, NC          1155     5 Syama dd            LA           630

     ---- Full Sets(Cum) ----             ------- Full Sets(Cum) -------
1 Baltimore                  109     1 Gaur Sundar d       LA            46
2 Silicon Valley(ISV)         90     2 Nidra dd            Denver        26
3 Los Angeles                 62     3 Aditya Narayan d    Hillsboro     18
4 Denver                      37     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA             4
5 Hartford                    30     5 Svavasa d           LA             4

     --- BBT Payments(Cum) ---            ---- Matajis - Points(Cum) ----
1 Los Angeles              97098     1 Nidra dd            Denver   3995.50
2 Silicon Valley(ISV)      32379     2 Mohanasini dd       New Tala 3260.75
3 TBB TSKP                 29571     3 Caitanya dd         Gainsvil  625.50
4 Chicago                  25539     4 Visva dd            Chicago   248.75
5 Gainesville              17971     5 Kaivalya dd         New Tala  237.50

      Bhaktas - Points(Cum)               --- Bhaktins - Points(Cum) ---
1 Bk Jay Khush  LA       10181.6     1 Bn Karly            Gainesvil1453.00
2 Bk Storm      LA       7448.35     2 Bn Demi             Toronto   460.10
3 Bk Carlos     TBB TSKP 3686.75     3 Bn Tessa            Gainesvil 102.50
4 Bk Carlos     Gainesvil3271.75     4 Bn Autumn           Gainesvil  87.75
5 Bk Karim      TBB TSKP 2425.75     5 Bn Christiana       Gainesvil  11.25

    Veteran Men(20+yrs) Points             Veteran Women(20+yrs) Points
1 Prema Sankirt LA       6479.50     1 Nidra dd            Denver   3995.50
2 Gaur Sundar d LA       4512.80     2 Mohanasini dd       New Talav3260.75
3 Bhrgupati d   LA       4155.70     3 Karuna Dharini dd   LA        207.00
4 Drumila d     New Orlea1557.75     4 Lalita dd           Berkeley  100.05
5 Sacitanoy d   LA       1171.75     5 Radharani dd        LA         82.75



                        HOW TO SEND IN SCORES

Monthly scores can still be sent the usual ways: fax, phone,
snail mail and e-mail. Please send them before the 7th of the
next month.

When sending scores by e-mail, please use the same basic format
as the printed scoresheet:


Temple: (Important!)       Month: (Important!)

                     (Enter BOOKS below--NOT points)
              SUB   M1   S1   H1   S2   H2   S3   H3   S4   H4   SETS
Temple totals   x    x   xx    x    x   xx    x   xx    x   xx      x
Top devotees:
Bk Mike         x    x    x    x    x    x    x    x    x    x      x
Krsna d         x    x    x    x    x    x    x    x   xx   xx      x
Radha dd       xx   xx    x         x    x        xx  xxx    x      x
etc.

Please...
  Try to limit each line to 80 characters maximum.
  You can omit the codes you don't use. You can start with H4 if you wish.
  Make sure the columns line up properly when viewed with a
     fixed pitch font.
  Use spaces (not tabs) between columns.
  Include your temple's name!
  Include the month the scores are for!
  Include temple totals for the month.
  List each month separately. Don't combine two or more months together.
  Don't just report Small, Big, Mahabig, etc.--->Use the codes S1,S2 etc.
     or make sure you specify hard or soft cover books
  Don't send every devotee's score. Just the top devotees who will
     have a chance to appear in the newsletter.
  Send scores to Mayapur@aol.com


              --- Please observe the Fair Play rules ---
        DEADLINE for scores is the 7th of the following month!

By Basu Ghosh Das

Pictures of the festival can be seen by anyone (even if you do NOT use Facebook), here (cut and paste the link into your web browser):

http://tinyurl.com/z6wwx38

http://tinyurl.com/hecfcch

http://tinyurl.com/h8w9w3u

Over this past weekend, from Friday May 6 through Sunday May 8, the South Vrindavan temple, at Puthur village, Thrissur District, Kerala, was inaugurated.

Deities of Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Krishna, Jagannath, Baladev, Subhadradevi, and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai were installed in the temple.

The temple is promoted by ISKCON Bahrain temple president Udarakirti Chaitanya Das, and devotees from Bahrain, named “Balaramdesh” by HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj.

Situated on 12 acres of land, and surrounded by the homes of Balaramdesh devotees who are relocating to South Vrindavan, the temple was built in Kerala style, but with modern building materials. There are a number of beautiful paintings and relief artworks that decorate the temple.

Senior ISKCON devotee from Mayapur, Bhadra Charu Das performed the installation with the help of ISKCON Vrindavan head pujari Mukunda Datta Das. Other senior ISKCON devotees who participated in the inauguration festival were Bhakti Vikas Swami, Radha Raman Swami, Bhakti Vinoda Swami,
(ISKCON zonal secretary for Kerala), Basu Ghosh Das (Temple President ISKCON Baroda), Murali Mohan Das (Co-President, ISKCON Vijayawada), Patri Das
(Regional Secretary for ISKCON Nepal), Atul Krishna Das (Director of the Mayapur Institute, Sridham Mayapur), Ekalavya Das (of ISKCON Calcutta), Nityananda Ram Das (Vice President, ISKCON Baroda), and Pundarikaksha Govinda Das (General Manager, ISKCON Juhu, Bombay). Nandaputra Das from Nagarcoil, Jagadsakshi Das (Temple President, ISKCON Trivandrum), and Vikram Govinda Das (Manager, ISKCON Kanyakumari) were also present.

Many other devotees came from around India and from Bahrain, as well as from Dubai and Sharjah in the U.A.E. Brahmachari kirtaneers from ISKCON Chowpatty, Bombay, were also in attendance.

The function was blessed by HH Jayapataka Swami in a letter sent to the organizers of the program. Maharaj was unable to attend due to the renewal of his US green card, and had to meet a deadline to enter the USA by May 10.

Kerala is known throughout India as “God’s own country” for profuse coconut trees, jackfruit trees, araca nut trees, black pepper vines, and several exotic varieties of banana trees. The hills, rivers, greenery, and the way old Hindu/vedic culture has been preserved in so many ways makes Kerala a very attractive place for devotees of Lord Krishna!

On behalf of the organizers, you are all invited to visit!

Nearby South Vrindavan, about 15 kilometers West, is the famous temple of Lord Krishna known as Guruvayoor, the most popular place of pilgrimage for Keralites, and one of the most popular places for Tamil Nadu residents as well!

One of the features of the Guruvayoor temple is the daily procession in the evening where the “utsava” (festival) Deity of Lord Krishna is taken on parikrama (circumambulation) around the temple on top of a male elephant!

The temple maintains 65 elephants in an elephant sanctuary, near by the main temple.

More information on Guruvayoor can be seen on the internet, here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guruvayur

Just 10 kilometers East of South Vrindavan is district headquarters Thrissur
(tri-Shiva in Samskritam), where there is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva, Vadakkunnathan, that is also one of the popular pilgrimage places in Kerala. Kerala “Pooram” festival held annually during Pooram nakshatra in the Keralite month of medam – it falls usually during April.

More information on the Pooram festival can been seen on the internet, here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrissur_Pooram

Harinama in Jacksonville Beach, Florida (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If the surface of the globe is overflooded with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, the people of the world will be very, very happy. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.10 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/K6mZF7

Gomati Vesa – Chandan Yatra Day 6 (Album with photos)
While herding, Krishna runs amongst the cows. While the cows rest, He lies with them. To purify Himself, Krishna enjoys smearing His divine limbs with the dust raised by the cow’s hooves. Krishna considers the cow’s and bulls of Vrindavana His mothers and fathers. He greets them each morning with loving words, “O mother! Have you rested well? O father! Are you happy?” Their horns are plated with gold and set with jewels, and their hooves are decorated with sapphires. I pray that these Surabhi cows may protect us all.
Small or utsava deities of Sri Radha Madhava looked very beautiful in their new outfits surrounded by many cows and calves all jumping with their tails raised high in the air. May Sri Radha-Madhava increase our attraction to serve His dearmost Surabhi cows!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/kC8UQl

May 15. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: The First Time I Bowed Down.
One time, my supervisor, Mr. Rice, shouted over in my direction, “Mr. Guarino, you are gonna have to complete the Garcia case so that she can get a check this afternoon. I want you to stay in the office and do it, so don’t go out to lunch until one. Is that all right?” It was not all right, but what could I say? So I went to the hallway phone booth and dialled the Swami’s number. The thing I was most attached to in the world was going every day at noon to have lunch with the Swami and the boys. So Mr. Rice’s command drove me to the radical move of phoning up the Swami. This was in the early days, before I was initiated.
I heard the phone ring and the Swami answered, “Hello?”
I said, “Swamiji, this is Steve. Do you remember me?”
Swamiji said yes, he remembered me.
I said, “I won’t be able to come today at noon for lunch because I have to stay in the office and work. But I’ll come over at one o’clock. Could you ask the devotees to please save some prasadam for me?”
“Yes,” said Prabhupada. He made it sound like it was not a problem. As I hung up, I was very pleased that I had made the phone call. Nowadays, it doesn’t seem like the proper way to treat Prabhupada, and in the later years of ISKCON with Prabhupada there was no question of doing such a thing. First of all, you wouldn’t be able to reach Prabhupada by phone; you would reach his secretary. But in those days it was right, and it was nice. It was a way to surrender and develop friendship. I very much wanted to go and be with him and eat his prasadam.
It turned out to be a better treat than usual, because by the time I got there all the boys were gone. Swamiji was there and the rug was still rolled back. The office had been demanding – so much bureaucracy and talk and nonsense, and now I had only one hour left before I had to plunge back into it. I came to take shelter with the Swami.
He told me to sit down, and so I waited alone in the room. He made up the plate and then came in and put it before me on the floor. I said, “Thank you,” and I bowed down before him.
He said, “Yes.”
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

The First Time I Bowed Down

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Bhagavad-gita 9.14 in the Darshan Room of Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji Temple.

“Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.” (Bg 9.14)

“From a certain point of view it may seem impossible to always engage in kirtan. Of course there are some liberated souls in Vrindavan who almost literally chant all the time. That is a very advanced stage. But, for most of us to actually chant always is not practical. But, we can do things that in a broader sense are glorification of the Lord if those activities further the glorification of the Lord. Therefore Srila Prabhupada called this process of devotional service ‘practical samadhi‘. One engages in various activities but the purpose of all the activities is to please Krishna. In order to please Krishna we have to know what Krishna wants. Therefore we have to read books like the Bhagavad-gita and take advice from experienced devotees who know from scripture and parampara what Krishna wants. When Krishna is pleased the devotee feels pleasure.”

Bhagavad-gita 9.14, Dallas